Latest news with #visaFree
Asharq Al-Awsat
3 days ago
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
China Grants Visa-Free Entry to All Gulf Nations
China will grant ordinary passport holders from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain visa-free entry into China up to 30 days from June 9, 2025. China has already signed two separate visa exemption agreements with the UAE and Qatar, allowing nationals from these two countries to enter without a visa and stay for up to 30 days. On Wednesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said her country will trial the policy granting ordinary passport holders visa-free entry into China up to 30 days from June 9, 2025, to June 8, 2026, according to Xinhua, the official state-owned news agency. Nationals from these four countries traveling to China for business, sightseeing, visiting relatives or friends, exchanges or transit for up to 30 days will not be required to obtain a visa for entry, Mao said. 'With the United Arab Emirates and Qatar that have implemented reciprocal visa-free policies with China since 2018, China now grants visa-free treatment to all GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries,' she said. Mao added: 'We welcome more friends from the GCC countries to embark on an impromptu trip to China." Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry welcomed the Chinese announcement, stressing that this step will contribute to encouraging mutual visits, and deepening friendship between the peoples of the two countries.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
China grants visa-free access to all GCC countries, including Saudi Arabia
BEIJING — China has officially extended its visa-free policy to cover all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, marking a significant step in deepening people-to-people exchanges with the region. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced on Wednesday that nationals from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain will be eligible to enter China without a visa starting June 9, 2025, until June 8, 2026. The visa waiver applies to visits for tourism, business, family visits, exchanges, or transit, and is limited to 30 days. The move completes China's visa-free coverage for the entire GCC bloc, which already included the UAE and Qatar — countries that have enjoyed full mutual visa exemptions with China since 2018. 'We welcome more friends from GCC countries to embark on a spontaneous trip to China,' Mao said, highlighting the initiative as part of Beijing's ongoing efforts to promote greater mobility and cultural connection between China and the Arab Gulf states. The announcement followed discussions during the ASEAN–China–GCC Summit, where China outlined plans to boost regional cooperation and ease travel barriers as part of its broader diplomatic outreach to the Middle East.
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Politics
- Times of Oman
China to trial visa-free policy for Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain
Beijing: China will trial a policy granting ordinary passport holders from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain visa-free entry into China up to 30 days from June 9, 2025, to June 8, 2026, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday.
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
China to trial visa-free policy for Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain
Beijing: China will trial a policy granting ordinary passport holders from Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain visa-free entry into China up to 30 days from June 9, 2025, to June 8, 2026, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
China grants visa-free entry to Saudi travelers
RIYADH: China is allowing visa-free entry for 30 days for travelers from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain in a one-year trial, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday. The new policy begins on June 9, 2025, and will last until June 8, 2026, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press briefing. Passport holders from the four countries will be allowed to travel to China for business, sightseeing, visiting relatives or friends, exchanges and transit, Mao said. China now grants visa-free access to all Gulf Cooperation Council countries, having implemented reciprocal policies with the UAE and Qatar since 2018. 'We welcome more friends from the GCC countries to embark on an impromptu trip to China,' Mao said. Previously, Saudi Arabia had held Approved Destination Status with the East Asian nation, which came into effect on July 1, 2024. This bilateral agreement gave access to tourists visiting the respective countries in groups. The announcement is the latest step in strengthening ties between the two nations. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 aims to attract 5 million Chinese tourists annually by the end of the decade. The two countries also share a strong trade relationship, and the Kingdom is China's largest trading partner in the Gulf.
